Coming soon, new fun for kids at Play in Bay

by Eileen Vernon

Several new features will be installed at the popular playground, Play in Bay, in just a few weeks. The new equipment is a gift from The Bay Village Foundation in honor of the 20th anniversary of the Foundation.

According to the city's director of recreation, Dan Enovitch, it won’t be a long wait. “We are scheduled to begin the installation on Oct. 5. Providing that the weather cooperates, the new equipment will be ready for play by mid-October. The Service Department is going to install the new features, weather permitting. The build out will take only a few days.”

The new installation calls to expand the area south from the current playground to the tennis courts and add a three-section rock climbing wall, hand-over-hand parallel bars, two chinning bars, 90 degree tri-rung hand-over-hand ladder, double cargo net wall, balance beam and eight stepping pods. That should keep the kids busy in the great outdoors.

The wooden structure of Play in Bay needs to be refurbished and safety is a key element in the plan. The Bay Village Foundation is seeking funds to help bring the 20-year-old structure up to date. We are counting on the folks in Bay to contribute to the project.

“The total cost is roughly $90,000, and we have already raised nearly $12,000," said Al Paulus, Foundation president. "A mailing will be going out to all households in the community shortly as we broaden our fundraising efforts. We are excited to be able to add new features to Play in Bay that can be used by children of all ages."

Added Dan Enovitch: “We are grateful for the generosity of the Bay Village Foundation in funding the project. The city is lucky to have a civic organization that does so much for the community!”